Omega Seamaster De Ville automatic, gold bezel on steel monocoque case, ca. 1960. Used to be my grandfather's, until he took it in to a shop for repair. The shopkeeper proceeded to tell him that nothing could be done, offered to throw it away for him, and sold him a Timex. He left the watch there. I heard about it a couple of weeks later, drove down to the shop with smoke coming out of my ears, and found the watch, repaired and nicely cleaned up, in the shop's glass counter. I asked to try it on, explained the situation to the man, and told him I would be leaving with the watch. He locked the door and threatened to call the police. I then volunteered to stay and explain the situation to the law, the press and the local chamber of commerce. After an uncomfortable silence, he unlocked the door, and I left.

This story made me both shake my head and smile, good for you for calling that guy's bluff. I'm at work dealing with someone right now who has the same attitude towards life as that shopkeeper.